[Newsmaker] Ruling party nomination race turns ugly

Former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik and “Park-sim” continue to muddy the waters for the ruling Saenuri Party, with less than a week until the party picks its Seoul mayoral candidate.

The term “Park-sim,” which literally translates as “Park’s heart,” refers to President Park Geun-hye’s intentions or having her support.

Kim’s tenure as prime minister was relatively uneventful and uncontroversial, which allowed him to hold the post for record-breaking two years and five months.

His time as a potential Seoul mayoral candidate for the ruling party, in contrast, has been riddled with controversy from the outset, with rumors circulating that he had the support of the president.

Although rumors that Kim had Park-sim behind him appeared to subside, the controversy was reignited on May 2 during the second televised debate with the Saenuri Party’s other two contenders, Rep. Chung Mong-joon and Supreme Council member Lee Hye-hoon.

The Saenuri Party’s Seoul mayor hopefuls Rep. Chung Mong-joon (left), Supreme Council member Lee Hye-hoon (center) and former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik participate in a policy debate in Seoul on May 2. (Yonhap)

At the event, Kim implied that Park was involved in his decision to run for office, saying that the president was among those who recommended the move.

Lee immediately hit back, saying that the president’s involvement in elections was an impeachable action, and accused Kim of using the president to gain an edge.

Despite the strong reactions from his rivals, Kim only added fuel to the fire on the following day by making similar claims on his Facebook account.

Kim wrote that “people who wish for the success of the Park Geun-hye administration, and of Korea” suggested he run for Seoul mayor and that these individuals were supporting his campaign.

“And I think that this is (according to) President Park Geun-hye’s wishes,” he added.

Chung has since warned of legal consequences for Kim, and called for the party to take steps.